By Odeh Favour Adiya
First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has come under intense criticism after suggesting that small-scale businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli can provide economic opportunities for Nigerians benefiting from government grants.
Speaking in a video that has since gone viral, the First Lady defended the administration’s social intervention programmes, explaining that her office provides grants rather than loans to support small businesses and grassroots entrepreneurship.
“We are trying to give hope. To start akara business doesn’t take much, to start roasting corn doesn’t take much. Somebody even said about groundnut, kuli-kuli doesn’t take much. We didn’t give them a loan; we gave it to them as a grant. So we’ve encouraged Nigerians as best as we could with what is within our hands,” she said.
She also highlighted other interventions carried out through her office, including financial support for healthcare, education and agriculture.
According to her, ₦2 billion was donated towards tackling tuberculosis, ₦1 billion for breast cancer support, and ₦500 million to combat malnutrition. She added that scholarships, ICT training in partnership with NITDA, and agricultural social investment programmes have also been implemented.
However, her comments on petty trading quickly sparked widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians arguing that the remarks failed to reflect the scale of the country’s economic challenges, including rising inflation, unemployment and the increasing cost of living.
Reacting on X, user @Henry1466023521 wrote:
> “Oh, renewing the hope of the average Nigerian is by starting an akara business and roasting corn? Ngl, these cartels are causing mayhem anytime they speak.”
Another user, @Abdulazeez27, questioned the message, saying:
> “It’s the way she’s speaking with no modicum of shame. So everyone should be selling akara and corn.”
A user identified as @opara_ernest argued that economic empowerment should go beyond survival businesses.
> “Economic failure occurs when citizens are forced into trades by desperation rather than choice. I acknowledge the dignity of labour, but the reality is that not all labour is dignifying.”
Some critics also contrasted the government’s encouragement of micro-businesses with public spending on official vehicles and government operations.
Another X user, @NSupplanter, accused the administration of being insensitive, while @AbbeyBig199456 expressed frustration with the current state of the economy and urged the country’s leadership to step aside.
The remarks have reignited debate over the effectiveness of government palliatives and whether initiatives centred on small-scale trading are sufficient to address the economic pressures facing millions of Nigerians.
